2019 MLB Regular Season running thread

[John B. Foster]

I know we have a Spring Training thread, however, I thought I would start this thread to discuss about this.



Goodbye MLB for 1-2 years.

 

[Regan MacNeil]

Wouldn't that be better for the Running MLB Postseason Thread?

 

[HanSenSE]

Yes.

 

[RickStain]

If I’m the players, I’m dead set on a strike.

There was blatant collusion this offseason, and even besides that, the changing aging curve is ruining the compensation structure. They have to break the service time system, where a team can underpay them considerably and control their first 10 years as a pro.

 

[swingline]

A spending floor — say, 75 percent of highest payroll — would help almost as much as making players free agents sooner. Teams intentionally trying not to win too much is a cancer on the game.

 

[Starman]

What's happening in all sports, really, is the rise of analytics has created a new conventional wisdom, that losing short term is the only way (eventually) to win championships, by presumably maximizing your draft opportunities.

And a couple corollaries to that: second place is the first loser, and if you're not going to win the championship you might as well finish in dead dog last place to get that holy-grail lottery draft pick.

Which has led, in multiple sports, to teams to actively and enthusiastically pursue opportunities to tank.

In the olden days, in baseball, in mid-July, if you were 35-45 and 8 games out in your division, you'd scout around for a couple players, see if you could climb back in it; now, **** that, you sell off everybody on your roster over 28 and lose 100 for the next three seasons.

 

[Regan MacNeil]

Having a set draft bonus pool is horse****, too.

 

[outofplace]

If I’m the players, I’m dead set on a strike.

There was blatant collusion this offseason, and even besides that, the changing aging curve is ruining the compensation structure. They have to break the service time system, where a team can underpay them considerably and control their first 10 years as a pro.

No, there really wasn't blatant collusion. There certainly isn't evidence that it is collusion rather than baseball front offices doing things in a smarter way.

You are correct about the compensation structure, but swingline has a better plan. MLB needs a salary floor. It's been in need of one for a long time. I've been saying as much on these threads for years.

 

[Regan MacNeil]

Small-market teams will cry poverty and threaten to fold before they agree to a salary floor. And they outnumber the large-market teams.

 

[outofplace]

Small-market teams will cry poverty and threaten to fold before they agree to a salary floor. And they outnumber the large-market teams.

They aren't going to fold over a salary floor. They may band together and vote the idea down, but they aren't going to fold over it.

 

[Della9250]

two years minimum salary, two years arbitration, then free agency.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

Most of the union is past this stage of their career. All of them are past the draft. You're expecting them to sacrifice their own interests and negotiating capital for future players? I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

What's happening in all sports, really, is the rise of analytics has created a new conventional wisdom, that losing short term is the only way (eventually) to win championships, by presumably maximizing your draft opportunities.

And a couple corollaries to that: second place is the first loser, and if you're not going to win the championship you might as well finish in dead dog last place to get that holy-grail lottery draft pick.

Which has led, in multiple sports, to teams to actively and enthusiastically pursue opportunities to tank.

In the olden days, in baseball, in mid-July, if you were 35-45 and 8 games out in your division, you'd scout around for a couple players, see if you could climb back in it; now, **** that, you sell off everybody on your roster over 28 and lose 100 for the next three seasons.

Another way to restock your farm system is to sign midlevel players or reclamation projects, see if they’re able to overachieve, and then flip them for prospects at the trade deadline. The Rangers GM Jon Daniels was a dumpster diving maestro in the late Aughts, flipping guys like Eric Gagne, Sammy Sosa and Kenny Lofton for players who helped them win two AL pennants.

 

[John B. Foster]

 

[John B. Foster]

Trout will have made about $580-$585M (after bonuses) in MLB salary if he never signs another contract.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

He couldn't even make it to the regular season

Tigers say Tommy John surgery recommended for Michael Fulmer

 

[Guy_Incognito]

He couldn't even make it to the regular season

Tigers say Tommy John surgery recommended for Michael Fulmer

Strange, because when they shut him down they said it was mechanics, not any kind of pain/discomfort.

 

[TigerVols]

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

I hope Arte Moreno chokes on every red cent of it.

 

[outofplace]

Strange, because when they shut him down they said it was mechanics, not any kind of pain/discomfort.

Strange for a major league team to lie? Ryan Braun, Kris Bryant and Vlad Guerrero, Jr. would all like a word.